[CarolynS]

DBS Operation for Parkinson’s Disease Performed Inside iMRI

Released: 9/19/2011 10:00 AM EDT
Source: Henry Ford Health System

Newswise — Henry Ford Hospital became the third hospital in the United States to perform a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure inside an Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, or iMRI.

”This is a great addition to the neurosurgical toolbox,” says Jason M. Schwalb, M.D., Director of Movement Disorder and Behavioral Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Health System.

“Although awake surgery with brain mapping is still the standard of care for DBS, some patients can not tolerate awake surgery because of anxiety or the severity of their disease. The iMRI allows us to place DBS electrodes accurately for an asleep patient. We can also use it to confirm accurate electrode placement before closing the skin.”